Three Ocean Springs High School students recently received a big honor. They've been named candidates for the United States Presidential Scholars program.

Sally Boswell, Jessica Leonard, and Sunna Savani were selected by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and the United States Department of Education.

As many as 161 graduating seniors from across the country will be chosen for the program, which is considered one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

"The selection of these OSHS scholars as candidates proves that Ocean Springs School District is nationally competitive," said Dr. Bonita Coleman-Potter, Superintendent of the Ocean Springs School District. "Our educators and community continue to produce students as talented and capable as students in any other state. We are elated that our students will be given this opportunity to shine."

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors. Eight hundred semifinalists will be selected by a review committee. The finalists will be honored in June in Washington, D.C.